US revokes South Sudan visas over failure to repatriate citizens

The United States has revoked all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders over their country’s failure to accept the return of their repatriated citizens.

In a statement on Saturday by  Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the U.S has taken the move after South Sudan declined to accept its citizens back.

“I am taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and to restrict any further issuance to prevent entry into the United States, effective immediately, due to the failure of South Sudan's transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner,” stated Rubio.

Rubio further stated that the U.S shall review their action once South Sudan is in full cooperation.

The U.S. has implemented stronger immigration enforcement measures, including the repatriation of individuals considered to be in the U.S. illegally.

President Donald Trump's administration has  warned that countries failing to quickly repatriate their citizens will face consequences such as visa sanctions or tariffs.

As the conflict in war-torn South Sudan continues, the African Union has sent a special delegation to mediate in the country after First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest. 

Machar's detention came after weeks of fighting in the northern Upper Nile state between the military and the White Army militia. 

Although Machar’s forces were allied with the White Army during the civil war, they deny any current connections.